18/08/2026
๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Solomon Islands is demonstrating that it is prepared to translate regional commitments into practical action.
This follows the launch of the Protecting Freshwater Resources for Increased Climate Resilience in the Pacific Islands (PacFresH2O) programme at the Pacific Crown Hotel in Honiara.
Led by GIZ Pacific, the programme is being implemented in partnership with the Government of Solomon Islands, the Pacific Community (SPC) and Live & Learn.
Supported by the German Governmentโs International Climate Initiative (IKI) and funded through the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), the five-year regional programme supports Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to strengthen climate resilience through sustainable freshwater resource management and climate-resilient WASH services.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday, Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Derrick Rawcliff Manuaโri said Solomon Islands had only recently had the privilege of hosting the 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Conference and Expo in Honiara.
He said the gathering brought together Pacific Ministers, utility leaders, water professionals, engineers, scientists, development partners and community representatives under a shared vision of strengthening water security across the region.
โOne of the strongest messages emerging from that historic gathering was that water security is everyoneโs responsibility.
"The Conference recognised that technical expertise alone will not deliver water security.
โPolitical leadership, community ownership, regional solidarity and sustained advocacy are equally essential,โ he said.
Importantly, the Conference called upon Pacific Water Leaders to move beyond managing water systems alone and to become Water Warriors and Water Championsโleaders who actively advocate for protecting freshwater resources, strengthening water governance, promoting water conservation, investing in resilient infrastructure and inspiring future generations to value water as our most precious resource.
Minister Manuaโri said this was a powerful message.
โBeing a Water Warrior is about standing up for our rivers, our watersheds, our aquifers and our communities.
โBeing a Water Champion means ensuring that every policy we develop, every investment we make and every development decision we take recognises that water lies at the heart of sustainable development.โ
Minister Manuaโri said the Honiara resolutions also reaffirmed that achieving a Water Resilient Blue Pacific requires collective action across governments, utilities, traditional leaders, women, youth, educational institutions, churches and local communities.
โAs Pacific Islanders, we are connected by one ocean, one climate and one shared future,โ he said.
Minister Manuaโri said that, as the ministry responsible for water resources management, MMERE remains fully committed to strengthening scientific assessment of groundwater resources, improving hydrological monitoring, protecting recharge areas, promoting integrated water resources management and strengthening institutional capacity.
However, he said the Government alone could not safeguard the countryโs freshwater future.
โI therefore express my deepest appreciation to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its continued friendship and generous support through GIZ.
โI also acknowledge the Pacific Community and Live & Learn Environmental Education for bringing regional expertise, technical knowledge and community engagement to this important initiative.
โYour partnership reflects our shared belief that climate resilience begins with resilient communities supported by healthy ecosystems.
โI also commend the close collaboration between MMERE and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.
โCommunity and youth partnership and participation are crucial, as the project focuses heavily on local governance over small water supply infrastructure. Hence, the partnership is the primary vehicle for the success of the project.
โThe integrated approaches to local engagement, gender equity and marginalised groups within the project framework of implementation are critical. Involving local community groups directly, and training them to operate, maintain and manage climate-resilient WASH systems, will guarantee long-term operational sustainability.
โThis partnership demonstrates the whole-of-government approach that is essential for addressing increasingly complex climate challenges,โ he added.
